Move over ham, here comes lamb
It’s official, lamb will take centre stage on Kiwi Christmas tables this year.
After 24 burgers were delivered for a joint lunch with the Forestry Owners Association, the Board of Federated Farmers has given its thumbs-up to McDonald's Serious Lamb Burger.
"As a beef farmer who supplies Angus beef for McDonald's, I couldn't wait to get my hands on their Serious Lamb Burger," commented Federated Farmers President, Bruce Wills.
"My first impression of the burger is that it is huge and looks exactly like what's on the box
"When you bite into it, you unmistakably taste lamb and realise just how much effort McDonald's has put into cracking a difficult meat to cook. They have nailed the perfect lamb burger using export quality New Zealand lamb.
"You can say we have now given the burgers a serious workout with our taste buds.
"To me it is a complete meal. You've got egg, tomato, rocket and beetroot with a sauce that enhances the flavour of lamb. After eating one, you certainly feel rewarded.
"The Board of Federated Farmers is genuinely enthused with what McDonald's is doing for Kiwi lamb.
"When you drive past any McDonald's you see lamb written loud and proud. As a sheep farmer it is heartening, especially given the latest schedule prices.
"These burgers and snack wraps are a great way of turning on a new generation's taste buds to what lamb is and could be. That to us is the big positive of McDonald's involvement," Wills concluded.
Registrations are now open for the 2026 Ruralco Golf Classic, with all proceeds from the event set to support the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust.
Mating wrapped up last month at the across-breed Beef Progeny Test on Pāmu’s Kepler Farm in Manapouri.
Libby Judson is a keeper of memories from an age gone by. Tim Fulton tells her story.
A New Zealand-first native tree study has highlighted the Bioeconomy Science Institute's position as a forestry research leader.
Hemp fibre processor Rubisco is relocating its core processing facility to Ashburton as part of a $20-$30 million expansion to leverage what it says is an accelerating global demand for sustainable and renewable fibres.
Tradition meets some of the latest in technology at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.

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